Was it epoch
making history? Or was it history making history?
Hatharadenama Soorayo, the popular film of 1971 which starred
a legend of the Sinhala cinema Gamini Fonseka, produced and
directed by the affable Neil Rupasinghe created history in a
film remake only second to the Hollywood film industry named
“God Created Woman” by Roger Wadim.

Hatharadenama Soorayo is the second in the history of
film industry in the world that the same Producer and
Director did a re-make of the same film after 37 years with
the same theme creating a world record.

The
original cast Hatharadenama Soorayo had outstanding actors of
the calibre of Gamini Fonseka, the romantic Vijaya
Kumaratunga, Anthony C Perera and Senadeera Rupasinghe with
the most intelligent actress of the Sinhala film industry
Malini Fonseka in the female lead.

Rupasinghe
recently created history in the Sri Lankan film industry
being the same producer and director of the film
Hatharadenama Soorayo which had four youngsters like Buddhika
Jayarathne in Gamini’s role, Roshan Pilapitiya for
Vijaya Kumarathunga’s role, Jagath Chamila did an
Anthony C Perera and Amila Abesekara took over
Senadeera’s place in the cast.

Chathurika
Peiris was chosen to play the role of Malini Fonseka and
Kanchana Mendis in the supporting role earlier played by
Sriyani Amarasena. Also in the female cast were Manjula
Thilini and Nadeesha Alahaperuma.

37 years later
Rupasinghe who created history by the remake of the film was
a proud man, who had this to say: “The film was
reproduced and directed by me not with the wish of creating
any records. But to keep the theme of the film alive with
youngsters in the cast”. He, however lamented that it
was difficult to replace legendary men and actors like Gamini
Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Anthony C Perera and Senadeera
Rupasinghe who played the prominent roles in the film.

Buddhika Jayarathne who played the role of Gamini
Fonseka did his best but one can’t expect the same from
him as we saw in the legendary man Gamini Fonseka as an
actor.

Another feature in the remake of this film
was the new technical effects introduced with the advanced
technology with slight changes to sound, editing, creative
fighting and lighting.

The remake
of the film, according to Neil Rupasinghe had cost a
staggering 15 million with a shooting duration of 90
days.

Technical operation of the film clearly
defines the difference between the mini screen and the larger
screen. Up and coming producers Lalantha Watudura and Malcom
Stanislaus, a Dentist by profession assisted Neil Rupasinghe
in the product of film, Hatharadenama Soorayo.

The
new version of the film however, sadly lacks the personality
and looks of a Vijaya Kumaratunga and character and charm of
a Gamini Fonseka. The roles of the female partners come close
to the original actors but a void could still not be ignored.
Perhaps it is also due to the elements such as the
surroundings, locations and dialogues of those of the
original cast.